What is Write Nonfiction in November – a.k.a. NaNonFiWriMo?
As of today, nonfiction writers have 87 days to prepare for a month-long marathon of writing nonfiction in November.
As a recap, NaNonFiWriMo is:
- Like a marathon because writers are encouraged to write a lot, write every day, and write a complete nonfiction work during the month of November,
- The nonfiction counterpart to NaNoWriMo.
Because NaNonFiWriMo is like a marathon that takes place in November 2013, it makes sense to train for that marathon, right? And that is the purpose of our 10-month training program right here. The “I Know I Can” Write Nonfiction in November program is a training program and free resource for nonfiction writers that provides creative writing prompts using themes and sub-themes. I created this program and began posting prompts in January. Eight months later, the writing prompts are still going strong. Today offers writing prompt #91! That is 91 different topics to encourage you to write nonfiction!
Today’s Sub-Theme – Food Bloggers
Our second sub-theme in August’s “All About You” theme is food blogging. This is a great topic to tackle in celebration of the beginning of YouTube’s Geek Week. (Isn’t it fun to keep abreast of emerging trends like that?) Geeks are generally smart, brilliant people who know lots of interesting facts and factoids, can readily figure out how to solve tough problems, and share wisdom and best practices on how to do things better. Food bloggers fit the bill as the best kitchen geeks out there.
Food bloggers do it all – – they follow standard recipes and modify them, experiment in the kitchen, offer tips and tricks on botched culinary projects, and share their tasty wisdom with delectable photos that look as good, if not better than the real thing.
Today, your job is to write basic profiles on food bloggers Michael Lee West, Tara Kuczykowski, and Robyn Stone.
Recap: List of Bloggers
In this space, we will keep a running list of all the bloggers we are featuring in August.
- August 2 – Women, God, and Faith: Kirra Antrobus, Maia Duerr, Rachel, Rachel Barenblatt, and Katie Orr.
- August 5 – Food Bloggers: Michael Lee West, Tara Kuczykowski, and Robyn Stone.
Creative Idea Gal’s Thoughts
I received some confusion and questions based on my questions posed for the five bloggers in Friday’s prompt. Some of these gals thought they were required to answer my questions in a particular way. One gal was clearly honored! The bottom line is that I want to feature unknown bloggers on this blog in order to give nonfiction writers a clear assignment for the month of August: write a basic profile on each of those bloggers! I made it interesting by coming up with my own questions for each blogger; the questions serve as writing prompts to encourage them to write.
By featuring unknown bloggers, I am effectively marketing the work of others, thereby spreading the love, and hopefully, getting a new set of eyes and a brand new readership for well-deserving bloggers. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Creative Idea Gal’s Softball Questions for Today’s Bloggers
This introduction is from Friday’s post, but it bears repeating. My questions directed to today’s featured bloggers are intended to spark creativity. Hopefully, the bloggers will be inspired enough to read my questions (writing prompts directed at them) and respond to them thoughtfully, creatively, and in detailed blog posts on their own blogs.
Blogger – Michael Lee West
(1) It is unusual for a woman to have a traditional man’s name. How do you handle the constant questions about your name?
(2) What inspired you to create the Mystery Ingredient Club, also known as the Chopped meets Where’s Waldo foodie game?
(3) Your tagline mentions recipes and style for exhausted people. Why do you focus on exhausted people?
(4) Can you share some insight on your career changes? Going from nursing to farming to food blogging.
(5) Is it a challenge for you to get into “the zone” each day to create stunning food photography for your blog? What do you do to stay focused?
(6) You offer many tutorials on your blog. Which tutorial is your favorite and why?
(7) How is Designs by Gollum related to Rattlebridge Farm?
(8) How would you describe your writing style on Designs by Gollum?
(9) Can you tell us about lavender week? Have you offered weeks of fun on your blog based on other spices and herbs?
(10) How do you balance the farm, food blogging, novel writing, and parenting?
Blogger – Tara Kuczykowski
(1) How did you become a Walmart Mom? How has your experience been participating in the Walmart Moms Program?
(2) You attempted a 31 Days of Homemade daily blogging challenge in 2012. Did you do one in 2013?
(3) When did you start cooking from scratch? Did you learn how to cook from someone or did you pick it up on your own?
(4) Have you had good sales for your book All in Good Time? How did you market your book?
(5) The name of your blog is clever. Do you really consider yourself to be a cook that lacks sophistication? If so, why do you feel that way?
(6) You offer several free e-books on your blog. The e-books appear to be a compilation of old blog posts that were already posted on other websites. What was your inspiration for recycling old blog posts this way?
(7) You are wonderfully open-minded to collaborating on new projects with others. Has anyone proposed new projects to you within the last year? If so, can you describe them?
(8) You are quite busy with Unsophisticook and Deal Saving Mom. How do you balance your blogging and creative projects with raising a family of five?
(9) What is the benefit of using ZipList’s shopping list and recipe box tools through Unsophisticook?
(10) Your blog features an assortment of recipes using diverse foods. Is there any food that you’d prefer not to cook with?
Blogger – Robyn Stone
(1) You’ve listed mushrooms and onion sauté as a family dinner staple. What other dinner staples do you make for your family?
(2) Can you describe the creative process of modifying someone else’s recipe to fit your own?
(3) Why do you believe that family recipes are a precious heirloom to be treasured and enjoyed? (4) Can you describe some ways that you explore and discover new recipes for your family to enjoy?
(5) Your recipe for all to enjoy a good life is to add a pinch of this and that and it will be alright. Can you explain how you have incorporated this advice into your own life?
(6) Your recipe index is extensive! Would you consider organizing that same information in a book? Have you published any books?
(7) Do you feel inspired sharing recipes of ice cream and frozen treats from your ice cream Sunday program?
(8) You have a ton of blog posts on BlogHer. How has that arrangement benefited you?
(9) Your Mingle Monday link parties inviting others to share their creations are lovely. Do you have any success stories to share as a result of those link parties?
(10) Why do you prefer cast iron skillets over other types of skillets?
Writing Prompt 091
Prompt: Write a basic profile on bloggers: Michael Lee West, Tara Kuczykowski, and Robyn Stone.
Writing Tips:
- Conduct basic Internet research.
- Answer these questions in your writing: who, what, when, where, why (bonus: how?).
- Write your profile as descriptively as you wish. More details make your writing juicier!
- Bonus: interview the bloggers by asking them questions by e-mail and posting their replies on your own blog. Makes for good reading!
If you complete today’s writing prompt in the form of a blog post, please upload it here! Nina Amir and I want to hear from you!
About the Author
Amanda M. Socci – a.k.a. Creative Idea Gal
Amanda M. Socci is the creator of this unique 10-month training program providing writing prompts to nonfiction writers. Amanda is a diehard creative and an aspiring book author, currently blogging a book on faith, A Slice of Faith, on a community website. Visit Amanda’s blog. Follow Amanda on her journey to book publication. Like A Slice of Faith on Facebook.
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